Agenda and draft minutes

It was agreed that Councillor Jos Clark would chair the meeting.

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting and invited to introduce themselves.

Apologies were received from Councillor Harriet Bradley.

To note any declarations of interest from the Councillors.  They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declarations of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting of the 13^th June 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

It was noted that all matters arising from the minutes could be discussed during the following agenda items.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or Councillor may participate in Public Forum.  The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda.  Public Forum items should be emailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk and please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:-

Questions - Written questions must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting.  For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office at the latest by 5 pm on 21^st September 2016

Petitions and Statements - Petitions and statements must be received on the working day prior to the meeting.  For this meeting this means that your submission must be received in this office at the latest by 12.00 noon on Friday 23^rd September 2016

A statement had been submitted by David Redgewell regarding the effects of changes to bus services affecting the Neighbourhood Partnership areas within the City.  The statement was read out and noted.

(Francesca Rolle)

Francesca Rolle (francesca.rolle@bristol.gov.uk) from Bristol Libraries introduced herself to the meeting.  There were nine libraries across the South of the City which were reaching out and engaging with residents.  Projects were taking place within libraries and information promoted regarding how each library could be used by the community in different ways.   Bookings of library spaces could be made direct with libraries.  Further information would be distributed via social media networks.

The Neighbourhood Committee are asked to note the budget, discuss and confirm any changes and agree any allocations to the delivery of the NP plan (Ariaf Hussain)

The Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator presented his report which outlined the NP budget available.  It was noted that there were different elements of funding available which included Wellbeing budget, Local Traffic Schemes and Section 106 funds.  It was noted that the amount of Community Infrastructure Levy available had increased now from £11,940.26 to over £21,000 with recent further resources received.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED that the report be noted.

To consider the recommendations of the Brislington Wellbeing Panel for the allocation of Wellbeing Funding (Ariaf Hussain)

The Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator presented the report which outlined the available funding of £16,700 in the Wellbeing Budget.  Four applications had been received for funding which were discussed by the Wellbeing Panel on the 5^th September 2016 and the recommendations included within the report were;

It was highlighted that the next deadline for Wellbeing funding would be 11^th November with the Panel meeting on the 21^st November.  The recommendations would then be presented to the next Neighbourhood Partnership meeting on the 12^th December 2016.

The Neighbourhood Committee RESOLVED that the following grant applications be approved:

1. Parish Church of St Anne’s Church Hall Floor £2,140

2. Tuning In Come and Sing £700

3. Wick Road Library Workspace £500

4. Parents for the Park Street Party £850

To note the allocation of the 2016/17 Highways budget allocation, note and confirm the 2016/17 local Traffic Scheme including the cost implication, note the future traffic schemes and to note and agree any Minor Works requests for 2016/17 (Ariaf Hussain)

The Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator presented his report which outlined the allocation of the 2016/17 Highways budget allocation and confirmed the 2016/17 local traffic scheme. 

The Neighbourhood Partnership could choose one traffic scheme per year from a list of issues raised by local residents.  The scheme chosen for 2015/16 had been a feasibility study for Wick Road/Newbridge Road although this had not yet been completed.  When complete, the feasibility study would be explained and discussed with residents, businesses and the wider community initially through the Neighbourhood Forum.  The scheme for 2016/17 would be the implementation of chosen proposals. 

It was noted that future schemes would also be based on local issues raised with the current proposals being (1) Hungerford Road/(old) West Town lane and (2) Talbot Road/ Hampstead Road/ Kensington Park Road.  The proposal was again for a feasibility study one year and the implementation the next.

The following comments were then raised:

-          It was a matter of debate whether the white lines painted within ‘The Sands’ as part of the wider Council’s maintenance program were effective. 

-          The deadline for TRO comments for the west of Wick Road parking restrictions scheme was Wednesday 5^th October.  Signs displayed on lampposts in the area should be seen as an informational starting point, with further information including maps of the detailed proposals and specific information available on the Bristol.gov.uk website.  The changes proposed had come about due to comments and complaints received by local residents.

To receive a general update from Inspector Nigel Colston

Inspector Nigel Colston presented the Police and Community Safety Report to the Partnership.  The following points were raised;

a. Crime was rising and the ability to detect crime falling.  Teams had been restructured to balance resources across the South Bristol area and there were no longer the resources to allow teams used to be crime specific.  Changes meant that some knowledge of suspects, offenders and patterns had been lost which affected the detection rates.

b. The Police welcomed measures to reduce the speed of vehicles including 20mph zones.  Education was key although some drivers did require enforcement through the Community Speed Partnership.

c. The format of the report to be NP would improve for the next meeting.

d. The Response Policing Team would be increasing to 20 per team which meant more officers on the street in South Bristol as recognition of the size of demand. There had not been a reduction in Police Officers and PCSO’s in the last few years with three beat managers and five PCSO’s from October.

e. Traffic offences around Broomhill Road/ Jersey Avenue/ Fermaine Avenue were highlighted specifically at Jersey Avenue where the visibility of ‘no right turn’ signs should be improved.  Vehicles driving up the wrong way in Jersey Avenue and also obstructions to the footpath on Broomhill Road caused public nuisance and a danger for children.  Inspector Colston advised that information should be forwarded to him for appropriate action. ACTION: Cllr Carey to forward information collected

To note the Neighbourhood Partnership Plan and agree and allocate the Neighbourhood Budget as appropriate (Ariaf Hussain)

The Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator presented the Neighbourhood Partnership Plan which was a list of aims and goals established following consideration of what local people would like addressed and the identified actions.  Councillors requested further detail and cost implications in order to make informed decisions and allocate resources. 

Community groups such as the Bristol Walking Alliance were a positive force as they pressed for changes and improvements on matters within the Neighbourhood Plan.

It was suggested that Members of the Partnership might benefit from looking at the Plans of other Neighbourhood Partnerships.  The NP Coordinator agreed to bring further information to the Forum meeting on 17^th October 2016.

The Neighbourhood Partnership AGREED to consider more detail and costings at the Neighbourhood Forum and report to the next Neighbourhood Partnership meeting in December.

Including Bristol 800, Mansion House Visit and Bristol Walking Alliance proposal (Ariaf Hussain/ Cllr Tony Carey)

The Neighbourhood Coordinator presented the report. 

With reference to the Bristol 800 Mansion House Visit with the Lord Mayor on 15^th October it was confirmed that six local characters had been chosen.

It was proposed and agreed that the Greater Brislington Neighbourhood Partnership join the Bristol Walking Alliance with Councillor Tony Carey the champion reporting back to the Neighbourhood Partnership.  Information about the BWA event on Saturday 15^th October would be circulated via facebook.

To consider the on-going improvement in engaging residents (Ariaf Hussain)

The Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator outlined the results of the equalities survey which had monitored engagement with the Neighbourhood Partnership.  The snapshot set a baseline and the exercise would be repeated next year to assess if engagement levels had improved.  Challenges had been highlighted such as how to engage more with young people and how to act upon their concerns.

The Neighbourhood Partnership noted the report.

The following points were raised:

a. Councillors agreed to check with transport officers regarding concern raised that the sequence for the left hand turn traffic light from the A4 up Sandy Park Road was misaligned.  ACTION: Cllr Clark to report back the response from Transport Officers.

A meeting of the Stockwood, Hengrove and Whitchurch Park Neighbourhood Partnership would receive a presentation regarding the Phase 2 of the Hengrove Park development.  The flood impact on Brislington and Brislington Brook continued to be highlighted.  ACTION: Ariaf Hussain would ensure the NP remains a consultee.

It was reported that the RTI (Real Time Information) boards at bus stops from Totterdown Bridge did not show correct information.  ACTION: Ariaf Hussain to highlight to Transport Officers

There was continued concern about the traffic lights outside of Dun Elm/The Lodekka (Charney Road) which needed to be more frequent.  ACTION: Ariaf Hussain to progress.

It was highlighted that the sign for ‘Brislington Police Station’ on the Bath Road needed to be removed.  ACTION: Councillor Langley to action

Councillor Tony Carey highlighted The Meadows and suggested that concentration was needed to consider the sections of most value to be conserved although it was reiterated that there were no plans for development at present.

It was suggested that the AEOB project (Abolish Empty Office Buildings) taking place in St George should be utilised for the derelict/empty units in the Emery Road Trading Estatein Brislington.  It was highlighted that Bristol City Council owned 50% of the area.

It was reported that there were people in tents living in Nightingale Valley with possible traces of drug use.  ACTION: Councillors to contact Council Officers as appropriate.